Veyyil -- Movie review

Cast: Pasupathy, Bharath, Bhavana, Shriya Reddy
Produced by : Shankar
Direction: Vasantha Balan

Story: The story revolves around the two brothers Kathir (Bharath) and Murugesan(Pasupathy). When Murugesan skips school to watch a MGR movie, he is caught in the theatre by his father. His father punishes him in front of all the people in the village & this makes Murugesan to run away from the village with his mother's jewels & money. He is robbed of the money on his way to Chennai & hence he takes refuge in a village where he gets to work for a cinema talkies ( A theatre). The story traces the life of Murugesan & his brother Kathir from this point on. Murugesan, due to circumstances, is forced to return to his native village. Whether his parents & brother accept him and take him into their family fold forms the rest of the plot.

Performances: It would be a gross injustice to Pasupathy if I say that he has acted well as Murugesan. He has virtually lived as Murugesan. Be it sadness, love, anger or anguish, the emotions come naturally to him. I would really expect this performance of his to make the list of nominees for the national award for the year 2006.

Bharath, portraying a hot-headed lad is another apt choice for the role. Be it the anger that he shows when he talks to Bhavana or the softness that he shows to his brother, he does it very naturally. He is one actor who can be expected to go places in Kollywood (Assuming he avoids junk movies like Chennai Kadhal & remains selective in the movies that he accepts)

Bhavana, as the lady love of Bharath is sweet and acts her part well. The scene where she does the recording with Bharath is a not to be missed scene. Her eyes does most of the acting. Her role is short & seems to be added for spicing up things.

The other notable performances are from Shriya Reddy and the people acting as the parents of Murugesan.

Screenplay: The screenplay is free flowing with very few hitches. The first half of the movie is fast paced and the proceedings become slightly dour in the second half of the movie. Some of the scenes in the second half seem forced at best & could have been avoided.

Camera: The camera & editing for the movie is adequate. The camera catches the village life beautifully in the "Veyilodu Villayadi" song. In the name of innovation, the fight scenes between Bharath & the villain are shot differently and it would only sticks out as a sour thumb.

Music: The songs "Kadhal Neruppin Nadanam", "Uruguthe Maruguthe" and "Veyillodu Villayadi" are instantly catchy and would remain in the lips of the public for some time atleast. The Back Ground Music (BGM) is brilliant in some scenes & leaves us desiring for a better score at some places. Do not miss the BGM when Murugesan is travelling by bus back to his village. A haunting flute plucks the strings of the heart in that scene. (The sad part is, immediately after this scene, when Murugesan sets his foot on his village, I was expecting a great score. The music director disappoints me with some pretty ordinary music at this scene) Overall, it is a good effort considering that this is the first movie for the music director G.V. Prakash.

Final Cut: Despite all this small grouches, this is a good movie & is worth watching.

Rating: 7/10